I am President of a singles social club for over-55's...every year for both Thanksgiving & Xmas I have n Open House, big traditional feast, for anybody who cares to BYOB...some years i get one person, some years 10. Peruse Meetup to find compatible groups, fill your life with friends! Maybe, give an Open House yourself, recruit from service people, single friends, etc etc.....

I think those who know me best wonder how it is I don’t have a harder time around now.. 3K miles from the nearest family, it’s not an option for either to easily connect. Sometimes, that thought alone can nearly turn me inside out. And, I’ll let it..

New friends have helped, spent the afternoon with a half dozen of them today, we all ‘needed it!’ Getting out & into nature as much as is safe and practical helps me, too. Watching wildlife make the most of every moment grounds me.

And keep in mind how much of ‘this season’ is fabricated BS anyway. Between shitty weather, darkness, the stress of attending endless events and meeting unrealistic expectations ... everyone’s on edge. At least you admit it

Yep chronically depressed and no time to feel as alone as on the jolly holidays. Ive got some family but its complicated. the ones who are closeby physically arent the ones who are closeby emotionally. My sister is the only family I can really connect with and she'll probably come into town at some point but I always wind up too broke to adequately give gifts and just feel bad because she always gets me a few really thoughtful things.

But yeah Ive lived alone except for my grandma who couldnt coherently speak most of the last decade or more, and now goin on the past couple years without her company either is tough. I tried to help her for as long as I could but she needed assisted living after a second stroke and the best facility is an hour away so I can't afford to visit her as much as Id like either. I hope you take as much of the good advice below as you can and stay active, in touch with or making friends, learn something, get cozy n read some good books, seek and give help. And if nothing else keep reachin out here if you can't find someone to talk to, we've always got time and commiseration.

This is a tough time for a lot of people. I think part of it is the weather. Try to get out and do some social things to connect.

I have no relatives either and sometimes the house can seem lonely, but I found that doing things for others helps you to find friends. Seek help if you need it, but try giving help, it can be just as good for you, many charities need volunteers.